Weird GI stasis mystery?

[slouchyback]

I’ve dealt with a normal bout of GI stasis before that was fixed up easily.

About a week and a half ago, I started to see the signs so I took my rabbit (6 yrs old) into the vet in order to catch it early. At this point he was still eating a little bit of his pellets, greens and hay. I was given Critical Care and the medication Cisapride to get his gut moving. The weird thing is that aside from little to no eating and pooping, my rabbit was acting totally normal. During the vet’s check they did find some blood in his saliva while looking in his mouth. The Critical Care and Cisapride didn’t improve anything over a week, so I took him back for a dental check. There was still blood present in his saliva, but no cuts in his mouth or other dental issues. The vet told me to continue to treat it as a stasis issue and sent me home with Metacam and Trimebutine Maleate in addition to what he’s already on. He has been on this for two days, and still no change. Acting totally normal, but barely any interest in food.

My vet did say to watch for sneezing as it could be a respiratory issue. I’ve caught him sneezing twice since initially taking him to the vet, although I don’t know if that little amount warrants giving my vet a call; I feel like sneezing only twice in the span of a week and a half could just be a coincidence. He also doesn’t have any other signs of a respiratory issue such as a runny nose and eyes. 

I was just wondering if anyone else might have experienced this with their bunny/has some recommendations about what to ask my vet if this week on the medication doesn’t fix things. I’m worried about some kind of internal bleeding, if the vet finds blood in his saliva a third time. Should I ask for an Xray? 

[jerseygirl]

How worrisome! Sending {{{vibes}}} your way for your rabbit.

Is he taking the critical care alright? I would hope you would see some poo soon once that has moved through his gut.

Could the blood be from the syringe feeds? Im remembering a vet trying to give one of my rabbits water by mouth once and she (the rabbit) was so stubborn. It ending up causing her mouth to bleed a bit. Have you tried offering the CC in a bowl?

Is your rabbit drinking at all?

I wonder if an alternative to metacam would be worthwhile? As some buns are sensitive and it can suppress appetite.
I heard that vitamin B water can help with appetite. That might be worth a try.
What sort of foods have you been offering him? If he’s snubbing the usual favourites, I would get some things he’s rarely had before. It’s weird how rabbits might go for these things when the gut is off.

Should I ask for an Xray?

It’s probably worth asking the vet about but they may deem him too unstable to anaesthetise. They might be able to do a conscious xray of his abdomen, but Im not sure they’d be able to do that for head x-rays. Definitely worth a discussion with your vet, regardless.

Has the vet been able to feel any food in his gut at all?  My concern now would be build up of bad bacteria and toxins in the gut. You may have to give an additional medication to try circumvent that. 

[slouchyback]

Thank you!

Unlikely that the blood is from syringe feeds because it was present before I started him on the Critical Care. He is pooping once I get food into him! It is encouraging him to eat that is the problem. He seems to be more willing to eat during the evenings, as if he’s avoiding it all day until the hunger is unbearable. But he doesn’t seem to be in any identifiable pain… it really is bizarre. 

He is drinking but not much, I’m glad he’s getting hydrated through the CC. Thanks for the tip on the Vitamin B water and changing up the greens!

When I took him to the vet the first time there was no food in his stomach but that’s likely because he stopped eating. The vet didn’t say anything about it when I took him a few days ago… I’d like to check it out myself now that I have him on the CC. Is there any resource that can tell me what I should be feeling for and where on his underside? Thanks

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